THE CULT – I was first introduced to the music of The Cult from Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale, back in our college days. The first album (actually cassette) that Coverdale had me listen to from The Cult was 1987’s Electric. That album’s title pretty much sums up how The Cult always came across to me with their Heavy Rock: Electric.

1989 seemed to be the transition year for every Heavy Metal band out there. Grunge was coming in like a stampede and the rest was history. However, The Cult made a HUGE statement with their fourth album Sonic Temple. Two hit songs, Fire Woman and Sweet Soul Sistermade it to Headbangers Ball on MTV, with a damn good rotation at that. It definitely was solidified, through Sonic Temple, that Electric was no fluke and The Cult were no longer a Gothic Rock band; even though Gothic Rock was still swirling about the underground with pride and bushels of fans, in 1989.

I believe Sonic Temple was the breakthrough album for The Cult. The one-two punch of Electric and Sonic Temple took The Cult to an Arena level; there’s just no disputing that. For my ears, the vocals of Ian Astbury have always been powerful and on Sonic Temple there’s no exception. When great guitarists names are mentioned or written about, I seldom hear or see Billy Duffy’s name. I’ll be honest with you, Billy Duffy has always been a top contender and he’s a thrill to listen to on Sonic Temple! Plus… that’s Billy Duffy pictured on the Sonic Temple album cover (above). Ian Astbury is also pictured on the album cover’s foreground.

As a songwriting team, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy are nothing short of remarkable, in my Metal opinion. Sonic Temple was (and still is) heavy enough to magnetically lure fans of (as examples) Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Scorpions; trust me, I witnessed it with my own eyes. If you’ve never listened to The Cult, I suggest you do. Anyone new to Sonic Temple should be left in awe of the album opener Sun King; while pondering how The Cult can possibly top this song on the remainder of the album. Sonic Temple is nothing short of a true Heavy Rock classic. – Stone

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Metal Side Notes:

* Jamie Stewart (bass) and Mickey Curry (drums) were the rhythm section on Sonic Temple. Yes, they nailed it on this album.

* Sonic Temple peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200.

* My idea to revisit Sonic Temple came about from my Metal Buddy Dave; he guessed the song very easily that I played on the jukebox, recently, at our favorite watering hole. Dave being a true fan of The Cult was super pumped to hear Fire Woman blaring loud; it made me very proud.

Metal Odyssey hereby bellows, with Heavy Metal enthusiasm, a Happy Metal Birthday to Matt Sorum! 49 years on planet Earth has Matt Sorum been, arriving on November 19, 1960. Matt Sorum is the drummer for Velvet Revolver and former drummer for Guns N’ Roses and The Cult. (These are the most famous bands that Matt Sorum has been drummer for). A Heavy Metal milestone for Matt Sorum happened this Fall of 2009, where he filled in as the drummer for the ultra legendary Motorhead. (Mikkey Dee of Motorhead took a leave of absence to be on a reality television show, some sort of survivor type show).

Man, if there ever was a sharp dressed man, Matt Sorum has the knack for looking sharp. ZZ Top must have wrote Sharp Dressed Man with Matt Sorum in mind. Matt Sorum has his own clothing line too, if I had the extra loot I would be buying his stuff and strutting the look. Oh well, I guess the $12 jeans from Walmart will suffice me for now. Matt Sorum teamed up with renowned fashion designer Max Noce and launched the Sorum Noce Clothing Line this past March of 2009.

As for Matt Sorum on drums, what can I say? This guy is real good. C’mon, the three bands he has been drummer for are no slouches within the world of Heavy Metal. To have been the drummer for those three bands of their status, man, that basically says it all. Plus, once Velvet Revolver makes a return, (with a new lead singer of course), Matt Sorum will be manning the skins and continuing his Hard Rock/Heavy Metal legacy. As I read a quote from Lemmy Kilmister, (vocalist & bass guitarist of Motorhead), recently, he referred to Matt Sorum as a professional. ‘Nuff said.